The Hakim came from Gilan to India during the reign of Emperor
Akbar (reign 1556-1605). Besides being an expert physician, he
had unique knowledge of philosophy, logic and other secular sciences
of his time. He was also well-versed in theology and jurisprudence."1"
Mulla 'Abdul Qadir Badayuni has called him the "Christ and
Galen" of his time."2"

Due to his vast scholarship and extraordinary skill, he soon became
a good companion of Emperor Akbar who bestowed on him the title
of Hakim al-Mulk. He was the student of Shaykh Muhammad Shahabadi
and was a man of practical acumen, known for exemplary behaviour
with common people. He was himself an affectionate teacher, he
used to pass most of his time in the company of students; and
used to take his meals with them."3"

He was deeply religious and did not like the way Emperor Akbar
used to hold religious disputations. In his opinion, it was a
clear disregard of principles of Islam and Islamic law. He tried
to express his dissatisfaction by preaching, advice, discussion
and finally by leaving for Hijaz in 1580/81 where he died in 1581."4"
Hakim al-Mulk's son `Abut Qasim also came to India and was one
of the distinguished physicians in the court of Emperor Jahangir
(reign: 1605-1627) and Emperor Shahjahan (reign: 1627-1658). He
also held the title of Hakim al-Mulk."5"
His grandson Mir Muhammad Hashim came to India from Gilan during
the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb (reign 1658-1707) and served as
personal physician of the Emperors."6"
His second grandson, Mir Muhammad Ja°far came to India in
the days of Emperor Muhammad Shah (reign 1719-1748). He was court
physician of the Maharaja of Jaipur."7"

HAKIM AMIR FATHULLAH SHIRAZI (d. 1584)

Hakim Amir Fathullah Shirazi was the son of Shukrullah Shirazi."8"
He was born and brought up in his native town Shiraz. He studied
medicine and other sciences with Khwaja Jamal al-Din Mansur Shirazi."9"
Shah Nawaz Khan has also mentioned Mawlana Kamal al-Din Shirwani
and Mawlana Kurd as his teachers."10"
After completing his education, he worked at the schools of his
teachers for some time.

By that time, his reputation had crossed the frontiers of Iran.
`All `Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur invited him to India. On
arrival in Deccan, he was received with great respect and honour
by the said ruler who made him his special companion. Ali Adil
Shah was murdered in 988 A.H./1581 A.D. and his successor Ibrahim
Adil Shah was a pleasure loving king, fond of music and dance.
Hakim Fathullah Shirazi did not like his un-Islamic ways and began
to think about leaving the court. When Akbar came to know about
the intention of the Hakim, he immediately wrote letters to Ibrahim
Adil Shah and Raja Ali Khan, ruler of Khandis, to send the Hakim
to his court. Finally, Hakim Amir Fathullah Shirazi left Deccan
in 991 A.H./1583 A.D., and reached Fatahpur in the month of Rabi`
al-Awwal the same year. He was received by Khan-i Khanan and Hakim
Abul Fath. Emperor Akbar showered great honour and respect on
the Hakim who soon became a close companion of the Emperor. In
993 A.H./1585,A.D., he was given the exalted office of Sadarat."11"
He married the daughter of Muzaffar-Khan Tarbiyati."12"

On account of his wisdom, sagacity and insight, the Emperor bestowed
on him the titles of Amin al-Mulk; `Add al-Dawlah and `Add al-Mulk
one after another. He was also included in the Council of Ministers
and Raja Todar Mat was ordered to consult him about all financial
and state matters."13"
As mentioned before, Hakim Amir Fathullah Shirazi was a man of
extraordinary intelligence with full knowledge of various sciences.
According to Shah Nawaz Khan, "he had no `second' in Iran
and India, rather in the World."14"
And Shaykh Abul Fadl writes about him: "If all the medical
works of earlier scholars are destroyed, he has the power and
ability to compile them again."15"
Hakim Amir Fathullah Shirazi had invented a wind-mill, and a gun
firing 12 rounds consecutively. He also invented a mirror which
used to show strange faces even at a distance."16"
Amir Fathullah Shirazi wrote many books. Some of his works are
given below:

Risala-i `Aja'bat-i Kashmir (Treatise on Wonders of
Kashmir): It has been incorporated in Akbar Nama by the
order of the Emperor.

Khulasat al-minhaj: It is a commentary of Quran in Persian,
which was quite famous.

Minhaj al-sadiqin: A detailed commentary of Quran,
not extant in India.

Tarikh-i alfi: He was the co-author of this book. Events
of the second year of Akbar's reign were mainly written
by him.

Tarikh-i Jadid: This is a part of Tarikh-i Ilahi-i Akbar
Shdhi which was compiled under his guidance.

Hakim Amir Fathullah Shirazi died in 992 A.H./1584 A.D., while
he was returning from Kashmir. Emperor Akbar was much grieved
on this news and remarked: "Amir Fathullah was my advocate,
counsellor, physician and my astronomer. No one can gauge our
sorrow. Had he been arrested by foreigners and had they asked
all my treasure for his release, I would have considered it as
a profitable transaction."17"

He was buried at the monastry of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, later
his dead body was shifted to Kuh-i Sulayman by the order of the
Emperor.

HAKIM MASIH AL-DIN ABUL FATAH GILANI (d. 1589)

Among the famous early physicians who came to the court of Emperor
Akbar and gained popularity at the court, was Hakim Masih al-Din
alias Abul Fath. He was the son of Abdul Razzaq, a learned man
of Gilan and a close associate of the ruler of that territory.
When Shah Tahmasp Safawi invaded and annexed Gilan in 974 A.H./1567
A.D., he imprisoned Abdul Razzaq who died in prison."18"
His was one of the famous Shiite families of Gilan in Iran "19"
Hakim Abul Fath was the eldest of the four sons of °Abdul
Razzaq. His other brothers were Hakim Najib al-Din Humayun, Hakim
Nur al-Din Qarari and Hakim Lutfullah Gilani, all experts in the
field of medicine.
Hakim Abul Fath studied various branches of learning from his
father and acquired in-depth knowledge in sciences of his time.
He was a good poet and writer"20"
but medicine was his speciality. His extraordinary knowledge of
medicine can be judged from his book Fattahi, a commentary on
Chaghmani's Qanunche, which shows his high intellectual calibre
and expertise.
Hakim Abul Fath was a man of kind nature known for generosity
and sympathy to his fellow men."21"
It is alleged that he was immoral and was an atheist."22"
This is incorrect according to Azad who vouchsafed his deep religiosity."23"
Abul Fath left his native place, Gilan, along with his brothers
Humayun and Qarari and came to India during the reign of Emperor
Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). They were received with great honour
and were given high positions in the court. Gradually, the Hakim
rose to the position of a courtier having 300 horsemen under his
command and to the office of Sadr al-Sadur of Akbar and
wielded great influence with the Emperor. His status in the Darbar
can be judged from the remark of Mawlana 'Abdul Baqi Nahawandi"24"
according to whom: "He enjoyed greater influence with Emperor
Akbar than J'afar Barmecide had with Caliph Harun al-Rashid."
Abul Fath Gilani was well-versed both in medicine and theology.
Following works of the Hakim are known to us to-date:

Fattahi: It is a detailed commentary on Qanunche"25"
of Chaghmani, pp. 300.

Qayasiya: A commentary on Akhlaq-d Nasiri ca 1400 pp.

Char Bagh: It is a collection of personal letters of
the Hakim to his family and friends like Faydi, Abul Fadl,
Khan-i-Khanan, Humayun etc. These letters are a fine example
of simple and unadorned language and their literary value
is not less than that of the writings of Faydi."26"

Abul Fath Gilani died of diarrhoea at Damtur"27"
on his way from Kashmir to Kabul where he was assigned by Emperor
Akbar to proceed for a campaign. By the order of the Emperor,
he was buried at Hassan Abdal."28"
The burial was arranged by Khwaja Shams al-Din Khawafi. Later
a dome was built on his tomb. Hakim Abul Fath had a son whose
name was Abu al-Wafa."29"